Clan Buchanan archaeology projects

Clan Buchanan is looking to tell its story, and archaeology is one of the key threads in that story. Fundamentally, archaeology will help us to answer the question “Where are our stories?”

From there, archaeological work at clan sites will help us to document, share and conserve the material heritage of the Clan.

The Buchanan archaeological project would be geared towards:

Investigating and documenting the archaeological features and telling the stories of known Buchanan-related sites
Developing methods of communicating our knowledge of Clan sites, including via 3D imagery
Potentially excavating, restoring and/or reconstructing archaeological sites,

with the view of preservation, explanation, communication and possible tourism.

Identified sites include (but are not limited to):

Clairinch (Clairinsh) and The Kitchen
- On Canmore - The original Clan seat. Learn more
  - Imminent project to install a jetty for improved access
  - Clean up the foundations of the 6 or 7 buildings on the island
  - Install a pathway to curtail traffic to designated locations
  - Install signage to promote tourism and communicate the sites significance
  - Remove the Tick infestation
Loch Lomond, shores and bed
- On Canmore
Auchenlaich Chambered Cairn
- On Canmore - Neolithic (4,100 BC to 2,500 BC). One of the largest Cairns in Scotland – 350m long.
  - Geo-physic examination
Auchenlaich Fort
- On Canmore - Iron Age (800 BC to AD 400) or Pictish.
  - Geo-physic examination
Cambusmore estate
- On Canmore - Current clan Seat (chiefs residence)
  - Documenting architectures and built infrastructure
  - Archiving and preserving historic objects and artifacts
Various chiefly burial sites
- Clearing and preservation of Buchanan burial sites
Cadet branch & clans folk houses; buildings and graveyard monuments.

Potential project activities would include:

Desktop research
Fieldwalking
Known monument documentation
Photogrammetry of sites and artifacts (including 3D imagery)
- Geophysic scans
Excavation
Site restoration
Site reconstruction

These are audacious projects which will mean a lot to the clan, with a lot of scope for volunteer participation (both in Scotland and abroad).

A Preliminary Scoping Document is to be presented at the Clan Parliament for the Chief’s inauguration, and we’ll include regular updates here.

This project is really reflects the CBSI Motto:
“Collegite Fragmenta Ne Pereant” Gather the pieces lest they be lost

And this is why we need your support, by becoming a member you support these initiatives. Click here to join now

Project leader for the Archaeology Project: Kim Tuovinen

My love for archaeology stems all the way back to my childhood - a lover of dinosaurs from a young age (and if we’re all honest, who wasn’t a bit of a dinosaur fan?). I had dreams of becoming a palaeontologist one day. Those dreams didn’t quite eventuate, but a growing passion for the Middle Ages eventually led to university studies in Archaeology, Classics, and Celtic Studies.

Over the years since my completion of my initial studies at the University of Sydney, I’ve juggled work as a school teacher and university lecturer with work in the commercial archaeology sector in Australia and the volunteer archaeology sector in the United Kingdom.

I’m looking forward to combining this experience with my Clan Buchanan heritage (which comes through from my mother’s side via Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland) in working on this project. I’m also looking forward to hearing from and working with other Clan Buchanan members with archaeological, historical, environmental, engineering, construction and diving backgrounds in the planning of this very long-term project. And most of all, I can’t wait to start working with Clan volunteers of all backgrounds and experience who have an interest in getting involved in finding out more about our shared heritage.

The Lady Buchanan, Kim and his fiancé *Angharad* visiting the ancient Clan seat – the island of **Clairinish**